Pump and air separator



March 3,1942.

Filed Apfil 28, 1938 w. s. FINKEN PUMP AND AIR SEPARATOR FIG. 1.

'7 Sheets-Sheet 1 \NVENTOR WALTER 6'. f'l/V/lE/V ATTORNEYS March, 3,1942.

s. FINKEN PUMP AND AIR SEPARATOR Filed April 28, 19:58

7Sheets-Shee'p 2 ATTORNEYS March 3,1942. 5 w. s. FINKEN 2,275,355

PUMP AND AIR SEPARATOR Filed April 28, 1938 '7'Shee'ts-Sheet 5 7 FIG. 4.

FIG. 3.

- INVENTOR WALTER 6'. FIN/(EN ATTORNEYS March 3, 1942. w, s, FINK'EN-275,355

5 BUMP ANb AIR SEPARATOR Filed April 28, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet-4 FIGQS;

INVENTOR WALTER S F/A/lfE/V @ZHQIIJ ATTORNEYS March 3, 1942.- w. s.FINKEN I 2,275,355

I PUMP AND AIR SEPARATOR- Filed April 28, I938 7 She ets-Sheet 5 lNVWALTER $1 F/N/IEN v I BY ,4 I iQAxz fi ag flmmma TORNEYS March 3, 1942.w. s. FINKEN 2,275,355

PUMP AND AIR SEPARATOR 7 Filed April 28, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 4 FIG.10.

11 as '-'i lNvENTdR WALTER $.Fl/V/fEN ATTO RNEYS March 3, 1942. w. s.FINKEN ,3 5

PUMP AND AIR SEPARATOR Filed April 28, 1958 TSheets-Sheet 7 INVEN'FORMLTER S. F/N/fE/V Y ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 3, 1942 I PUMP AND AIRSEPARATOR Walter S. Finken, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor of one-half toBjournulf Johnsen, Summit, N. J.

Application April 28, 1938, Serial No. 204,922

11 Claims. (o1. 1os 1s6) This invention relates to methods and apparatusfor removing gases from liquids. While devices of this character havewide-spread applicability, the device of this invention will probablyfind its greatest usefulness as a so-called air eliminator for gasolinemeter pumps.

The primary object of this invention is the removal of free air,non-condensable gases and soluble air from liquids under varioustemperatures and pressures. To accomplish this general object, theeliminating device of this invention takes into consideration and makesuse of the natural laws governing the gasification or vaporization ofliquids at the various temperatures and pressures, to the end that theliquid is delivered from the device at its maximum density correspondingto that of the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.

The invention relatesto both the method of and apparatus for theelimination of gases from liquids.

The invention also has to do with an instrumentality which is practicalfrom the-standpoint of ease and cheapness of manufacture and compactnessand eillciency in operation. 7

"These and other objects of the invention and the means for theirattainment will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsillustrating one embodiment by which the invention may be realized andin which:

Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic View showing a typical liquid handlingsystem to illustrate the various points at. which liquids may becomecharged with a gaseous medum and how it is removed in accordance withthis invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken in a vertical axialplane, showing the gaseous medium eliminating device of this invention,and taken in the plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 3, and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the device of Figure2, taken in the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 2 and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, showing details ofa vent and liquid seal incorporated in the structure shown in Figure 3;v t

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view showing the accumulator for thegaseous medium which has been removed from the liquid by the apparatusof this invention, the view being taken in the plane indicated by theline 5-5 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view, showing a modifiedform of safety valve which may be substituted for the safety valve shownin the structure of Figure 3;

Figure '7 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken in the' planeindicated by the line 11 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of thearrows;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, showing therelease valve permitting the escape of the separated gases-from theaccumulator, which release valve isv shown in smaller scale in the upperportion of the structure of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view showing thepassage delivering aerated liquids to the air separator taken in theplane indicated by the line 9-9.of Figure 7 and looking in the directionof the arrows;

Figure 10 is a view on an enlarged scale showing details of the pumprotor and eliminating device of Figures 2 and '7, parts being removed inthe interest of clearness;

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated bythe line ll-H of Figure .10 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken in the planeindicated by the line l2l2 of Figure 10 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows; and I Figure 13 is a longitudinal vertical sectional viewshowing a modified form taken by the invention.

For an understanding of the invention wherein liquid is delivered orobtained at a maximum density at atmospheric temperature, considerationwill first be had of the condition of the liquid at various stages inits travel from a receptacle, such as a tank within the ground, to thepoint of delivery, such as a valve or nozzle.

In Figure 1, the structure there shown includes all parts orinstrumentalities usually foundin a gasoline dispensing device wherebythe cycle of the liquid from the time of its delivery into a storagetank beneath the ground to its discharge through the valve controllednozzle on the end of a delivery hose into, say, the fuel tank of anautomobile, may be illustrated. This same cycle is followedsubstantially in all dispensing of fluid from a storage tank. Assumethat a tank 20, located below the surface of the ground, is to befilled, with liquid from an outside source, through an inlet pipe 22. Itis common practice to pour or pump the liquid into the inlet pipe of thetank at a smaller volume than the volumetric capacity of the inlet pipe.Such method of delivery has an aerating effect and permits the liquid toabsorb air or other gases in quantities corresponding to the temperatureof the liquid.

While there is no authentic data giving the solubility of air ingasoline, the same phenomena is present in all liquids. The followingtable shows the absorptive properties of air by water expressed as cubicfeet of dry air at standard conditions in one cubic foot of water, asfound by such authorities as Winkler, .Ilanclol-t-Brnstein-Roth tables.

The absorption of air in water .isalsoaproblem where boiler feed wateris to be handled ,andthe present invention is equallyapplicable in thatsituation also.

Returning now to the apparatus illustrated, the aerated liquid delivered.or deposited :in-the tank 20 remains in this aerated conditionuntilacted upon by outside forces. .To remove the liquid from the tank, asuction pipe24 is usually introduced through .the top of the tank .20and a pump 26 applied to the upper .end .ofthepipe. It is necessary .toremove theair inthe suction pipe, thereby lowering the pressure ontheliquid, before an upwardflow. in the. pipe can .be created, as willbe understood. To cause the liquid to flow, there must, of course, be animbalanced pressure. The direction of thedlow of the liquid is towardthe lower pressure. .As the difference between the high pressure. andthe low pressure increases, the rate of flow increases. This .is

common knowledgabut one which is frequently I overlooked .in the design.of air.eliminating .devices. -When the pump 26 operates, it creates asubatmospheric pressure or-degree ,of vacuum in the pump chamber.Because .of .this subatmospheric pressure, the pressure of .the.atmosphere is exerted on the surface of the liquidin tank 20 throughthe .tank vent pipe 21 which is open .to the atmosphere through theventcap 128. The atmospheric pressure .on the surface .of the liquidcauses the liquid to rise through the foot valve 29 and suction pipe 24.to thepump. .It must be remembered that water, at approximately 101will boil or vaporize when'subjected to twenty-eight inches of vacuumand that no watercan be lifted or pumpedif the pump suction creates avacuum "greater thantwentyeight inches because at that 'subatmosphericpressure the water would be completely'vaporized. Volatile liquid,such'as gasoline, vaporizes, of course, at a still lower vacuum. Ittherefore follows'that liquid under a vacuum is less dense and ismoregasified as the pressure decreases. As, therefore, we attempt to liftliquid by pump suction, its tendencyis to .become gasified and theresult is that the liquid becomes :charged with gaseous medium. Inaddition, the liquid will be supercharged with free air entering throughleaking joints in the suction pipe 24 leading from tank 20 if the jointsin the pipe are not sealed. The gaseous medium entrained in the liquidis removed by this invention.

Generally speaking, in an apparatus of the type shown in Figure 1, theliquid is pumped from the tank 20 and delivered through a discharge pipe30 to a metering device shown as a meter 3| having an indicator and/orrecorder =32 which indicates the amount of liquid which has been pumpedfrom the tank 20 and delivered through the meter into the pipe 34. Theindicating device 32 is provided with devices 33 movable in proportionto the quantities of liquid passing through the meter 3| into pipe 34.The pipe 34 conveys the liquid from the meater 3| to aflow indicatingdevice 36 which usually takes the form of a transparent container,within which vanes turn as the liquid flows from the entering pipe 34into the outlet pipe 38 to thereby give a visual indication that theliquid is flowing. The delivery pipe 38 may, if desired, be controlledby a valve 40, such as the valve in the nozzle on the'end of the hose ofa gasoline meter pump although, of course, the device, as a whole, asshown in Figure 1, is representative of any delivering and measuringsystem as in a tank wagon or even where the tank 20 is a reservoir,while the valve 40 may represent a faucet or other tap. The completesystem is shown because such elements as the liquid flow indicator 36and the valve 40, when it is manipulated, are factors responsible forthe inaccuracies of the meter reading due to the fact that they causeturbulence in the stream of liquid flowing through pipes 30, 34,08, etc.and thus tend to contribute to the aeration of the liquid andinaccuracies in the measurement of the volume of liquid flowing throughthe system.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 26 may be considered as acombined pump and centrifuge, shown in a horizontal position. Thepurpose of .thisiunit 26 is to pump the liquid from the tankfl] and thendeliver this liquid at its maximum density through the discharge pipe 30into themetering device 3|. The metering device 3! registers the amountof liquid of the maximum density, at the atmospheric temperature, thathas been pumped from the tank 20.

Referring "now toFigures 2 and 3, the rotor of the pump, indicated at42, is of generally cylindricalform and'is'provided with radial vanes44, the 'rotor'cylinder being fixed at one end to a hub ordisk-4'5-pinned,'as at 46, to the shaft 41. The shaft passesthroughthepump casing 48 and, conveniently, a-stufiing box 49 thereinand carries, at its outward end, a pulley 50 whereby the rotor may berotated from a motor 5| by the belt 52. The pump rotor 42 iseccentrically mounted in pump chamber 53 in the housing 48 as shown inFigure 3, and communicates, on its inlet side, with an inlet and primingchamber 54. The inlet and priming chamber 54 receives the liquid pumpedfrom the tank 20 through the pipe 24 and sediment chamber 55, the liquidpassing through the screen or filter 56 before it enters the primingchamber 54.

.On the discharge side of the pump chamber, the housing 48 is formedwith a discharge chamber 60 having an outlet 62 to which may be secureda U-shaped conduit-64 conductingthe liquid delivered by the pump rotor42 into a cone shaped passage 66 shown in plan and section, re-

spectively, in Figures '7 and 9. The passage 65 serves as a liquidnozzle and is formed in aclosure member 68 for the side of the pumprotor casing 48. The closure member 68 is formed with a cylindricalrecess 18 on the axis of the rotor, which serves as a bearing foracorrespondingly shaped portion H on a revolving cone 13 carried withinthe rotor cylinder 42. The rotor cone I3 is formed axially with acylindrical bore or chamber 16 in register with a chamber 18 ofcorresponding diameter in the closure member 68 into which the nozzle 66enters tangentially so that liquid entering at increased velocity isgiven a whirling motion about the axis of the chamber 18. The passage 16is of a gradually increasing volumetric capacity toward the end of thecone opposite to that at'which liquid enters from the nozzle 56. Throughthe bore of the cone 13 and the chamber 18 and in spaced relation to thewalls thereof passes a cylindrical passage or tube 88 which is mountedat one end on a perforated head 81 on the hub 45 and at the other endturns in a bearing 82 in an end cap formed with an end closure 83forming receiving chamber 84 into which the tubular passage 88 opens, aswill more fully hereinafter appear.

The frusto-conical revolving cone l3, see Figures 10, 11 and 12, isfixed to a cylindrical member 86 mounted, proximate the hub 45, on theinside of the cylindrical rotor 42 and is adapted to rotate therewith,the cone being positioned in spaced relation therefrom by spaced lugs orarms 88 defining passages therebetween and the upper end or end ofsmaller diameter ofthe frustoconical member 13 is slotted at intervals,as at 98, to facilitate the passage of liquid from the bore 18 into thespace 9| within the cylindrical member or bushing 86. The arms 88 definepassages leading from the space 8| to the space 93 outwardly of the cone13 and within the rotor 42.

Communicating with the space 93 within the cylindrical wall of the rotor42 and the outer surface of the revolving cone l3 and at the end of therotor opposite to the bushing 86 is a cylindrical or annular passage 94formed in the closure member 68 into which the aforesaid space 93 opens,as at 95, and which in turn opens into a passage 86 also formed in theclosure member 68 and in communicating relation with the meter 3|through the pipe 38, as shown in Figure'Z.

It will be appreciated that when the rotor 42 is revolved it creates asubatmospheric pressure or degree of vacuum in the chamber'54 (Figure 3)so that atmospheric pressure through the vent pipe 21 on the surface ofthe liquid in the tank 28 causes the liquid to rise through the footvalve 29 and suction pipe 24 to the sediment chamber 55 where it passesthrough the filter 56 to the chamber 54 thereby creating a primedcondition of the pump. In order to maintain a lower pressure in thechamber 54, under that of thehead pressure on the liquid in the pump(this pressure may be atmospheric pressure or hydrostatic pressuredepending upon the relative location of the tank with respect to thepump), the cubical displacement of the revolving rotor must provide, inthe space 53, a greater volumetric capacity than in the chamber 54whereby the pressure therein is less than in the chamber 54. The ratioof these two pressures, i. e., that in the space 53 as compared withthat in the chamber 54, determines the amount of liquid at maximumdensity that the pump is capable of discharging. It will be recognizedthat, as the liquid in the tank 28 is being elevated to chamber 54, as aresult of the pumping effect of the rotor 42, the liquid in chamber 54will be under a partial vacuum. As the liquid has an initial pressureunder atmospheric pressure, any decrease in pressure to which thisliquid may be subjected will decrease its boiling point and result in anincrease in its vaporization. The maximum density, therefore, of theliquid in chamber 54 is less than that in the tank 28. Therefore, tocause a flow of liquid from the priming chamber 54 to the space 53, thepressure in the space 53 must be less than that in the chamber 54. Asthe pressure is less, and there being no change in temperature, theboiling point of the liquid is lowered and the maximum density of theliquid in the chamber 53 becomes lower than that in the priming chamber54. The vanes 44 of the rotor, of course, convey the liquid into theoutlet chamber 68.

Now it must be noted that if the liquid discharged into the chamber 68were permitted to pass directly into a metering device 3|, the meteringdevice 3| would record the cubical discharge of the pump consisting ofliquid and gases. To remove these gases is the purpose of this inventionand to thisend the liquid and its contained gases is conducted from theoutlet chamber 68 through the conduit 64 into the nozzlelike passage 65where the nozzle effect of this chamber causes the liquid to acquire awhirling motion in the cylindrical space 18. Liquid in the space 18,still whirling, is forced into and through the bore 16 of the revolvingcone 13.

During the passage of the'liquid through the space 16 in the rotatingcone T3 the rotating effect of the cone "I3 causes a centrifugal forceto be exerted within the liquid, forcing the liquid, which is'relatively heavy, to the periphery of the space 18 against the wall ofthe bore in the cone l3 and thereby the gases contained within theentering liquid are collected at the axis of the bore, that is, alongthe outer surface of the tubular passage 88. These gases follow thedirection of flow along the outside of the tube 88 and through thepassages 91 in the hub 8| into which the tubular member 88 extends andthrough which tube 88 the gases are led to the chamber 84, the casing ofwhich is shown as removably carried on the outer end of closure 68. Thetube 88 is tapered from left to right, as viewed, whereby the velocityof the liquid is increased and a suction created.

The space 8| within the cylindrical bushing 86 is designed to have acapacity greater than the capacity of the passage 16 so that themovement of the liquid to the discharge pipe 38 will proceed slowly andthereby result in a decrease in the velocity of the liquid as it passesfrom space 16 to the discharge pipe 38. This decrease of velocity of theliquid permits a more thorough separation of the liquid and gases as theliquid proceeds through the chamber 16 on its way tothe discharge pipe38.

The greater radius of chamber 93, as compared to the preceding passages,results in still further separation of any remaining gases from theliquid because of the greater centrifugal forc on the liquid in chamber83. The gases, being lighter, accumulate along the surface of the cone13. The return of these gases to outlet passage 88 is facilitated byslots or channels 98 of progressively increasing depth toward the head8|, which conduct the gases separated from the liquid (because of theincreased centrifugal actiton of the chamber 93 over that of the channel16) back to the the revolving mass of the liquid and the metal of thecone'and rotor (Figure 10) causesthe relatively heavy dense or gas-freeliquidto "be forced to the periphery of chamber I8, I5, 9| and 93 andforces the aerated liquid, which is in major part gaseous medium and inmall part liquid, to

flow through the channel 80 to the chamber 84.

From the space 93, the gas-free liquid or liquid at its maximum densityat atmospheric temperature is discharged into the space '36 from whichit is piped, by pipe 30, direct to the meter 3!. Care should be taken toconnect the meter 3I with the space '90 with as short a communicatingpassage as feasible.

Turning now toFigures 2 and 5, the accumulation of gases and aeratedliquids, collected in the air chamber 84, is conducted by passages IOI,I02 to the accumulator I00. These passages IOI, I02 are of gradually orprogressively decreasing crosssectional area, whereby the velocity ofthe gases is increased. The accumulator comprises generally threeconcentric walls I03, I05 and H0. The concentric annular wall I Iconstitutes an accumulator bucket into which the progressivelyrestricted passage I02 enters eccentrically at the periphery whereby theaerated fluid passing through channel I02 into the bucket H0 assumes awhirling motion. This whirling motion is assisted by the provision of aconical or pyramidal structure II I centrally of the bottom of thebucket. The wall I forms part of an-inverted cup-shaped structure theclosed top portion I 06 of which carries an outwardly directed flangeI01 adapted to be supported on a companion flange I04 on the outer wallI03, there being sealing means II2 between the'flanges I01 and I04.Fluid, principally gases, both condensible and non-condensible aredischarged from the pump into this inner bucket H0, II I wherein thefluid assumes a whirling motion, and fills to the top of wall I andoverflows, filling the space I08 between walls I09 and H0 to form aliquid seal into which the wall I05 extends. The whirling motion of theliquid before filling the liquid seal I03, II 0 separates the gases fromthe liquid. The gases accumulate in the air space I I3 within the topI06 and are then discharged through ports H4, Figure 8, into space H6defined by an upstanding inwardly threaded cylindrical wall II'I. Ifaccumulator I00 is not flooded, the float II8 of float valve H0, 9 willbe in lowermost or air open position and will permit the accumulatedgases to pass through port I adapted to be closed by valve H9 and formedin a threaded plug-like portion I2I of an upper seal member shown ascasting I26, and escape to the atmosphere by raising vacuum disc I22normally closing passage I20. Disc I22 is retained in position by capI24, perforated, as at I25, to permit the escape of gases when disc I22has been lifted. This cap I 24 is conveniently threaded on to acylindrical flangel21 surrounding the passage I20.

'In the event there is not sufficient non-condensible gases or free airto fillair space I I3, disc i 22 will remain seated and preventatmospheric pressurefrom entering space II3 to exert a pressure on theliquid in the liquid seal I08. By so doing the condensible gases arecondensed on the walls-of :upper seal casing I06 and form a partialvacuum. When the vacuum is formed, the liquid'rises and lifts thefloatH8 and closes valve port I20. This port will remain closed until thevacurun in chamber '3 is broken by an accumulation of the noncondensible gases. When-this vacuum is broken a pressure will be createdandthe liquid level will be lowered permitting'valve port I20 to open.

Liquid seal I08 is-provided with a vent I30 (Figure 4) consisting, in'theillustrated embodiment, of a ball va1ve,seated to prevent airbinding of the seal.

A fully automatic safety valve I32 (Figure 3) or a semi-automatic safetyvalve I34 (Figure 6) is provided for the sealing chamber I08 to preventgases other than the gases entrained in the liquid from entering thepump suction and breaking the pump suction. Thus, a churning conditionis prevented which would otherwise be created between the suction sideand discharge side of the pump,-as is common in-existing pumps, andwhich would prevail were the by-pass safety valve connected directlybetween the discharge piping and suction piping. The position of thissafety valve I32 (or I34) permitsthe unit to be operated under lowpressure and maximum delivery volume.

The disc I'38 of valve I32, Figure 3, is perforated at I36. This permitsa flow of liquid which will maintain the suction pipe :24 primed in theevent of a faulty foot valve'29 ordefective joints in the suction line24. As there is a limit to the amountof, air or gases which liquid canabsorb, opening I36 in valve disc I38, Figure 3, is provided to maintaina constant flow of gas entrained liquid out of chamber 93.

In some situations, it may be found desirable toprevent an excessiveamount of air, which may be drawn into the pump suction when the pump isin operation, from being discharged with the liquid to the meteringdevice. This might result, should the liquid in the storage tank 20 belowered to a level below the seat of the foot-valve because the breakingof the liquid seal around the foot Valve would permit air to enter thesuction pipe. It might also result from air .entering at any point onthe suction side of the pump, such as a leaky joint or a rupturedsuction pipe.

Provision may therefore, if desired, be made for the creation of aliquid seal by the centrifugal action of the liquid within the rotor.

As before, when liquid is pumped into channel 76 the rotating motion ofthe cone I3 sets up a centrifugal force within the liquid, forcing theheavy substances toward the periphery of the chamber and lightersubstances or gas toward thecenter. As the velocity of the liquidflowing through channel 'IIi fluctuates with the discharge volume of thepump, the velocity of the liquid that has passed through channel '16 isreduced in chamber 9| to permit a maximum centrifugal action to be setup within the liquid. This results in a further separation of the air orgases from the liquid. The :air or gas is forced through apertures 91"into the tube 8.0 from where it is led to the atmosphere.

In the modification of Figure 13, the cone I3 is formed at its end ofgreater diameter with a portion I40 of reduced diameter defining achamber or passage I42, the major portion, at least, of which rotateswith the cone I3. The dense gas free liquidpasses from channel 93 intothis rotating chamber I42 where it is again subjected to centrifugalforce. The centrifugal force set up within this chamber provides a backpressure tending to prevent a flow of liquid from chamber 93 through theopening I44 between chambers 93 and I42.

The rotor member 42 is completed on the right hand side (as viewed inFigure 13) by a flange member I45 secured thereto to rotate therewith inany suitable manner. Its inner extremity overlaps a dead plate memberI46 carried with the end closure member68 and is spaced from the rotorso as to provide a liquid outlet I48 into the annular chamber 95, whichin this instance is of greater volumetric capacity than that shown inthe previously discussed modification.

The dead plate I46 prevents frictional action between the rotatingliquid and the rotor 42 from churning the de-aerated liquid in chamber96. The back pressure in the opening'I44 prevents the discharge of anygas laden liquid into chamber 95 which is directly connected to ametering device through pipe 30.

By making the diameter d of discharge port I48 equal to or less than thediameter D of the cone at the opposite end, a liquid seal is formedwithin the cored rotor that will exclude the discharge of entrainedgases to the meter, and will permit only such liquid as has attained itsmaximum density under the temperature and pressure of the mass, to passon to the metering device.

It may also be found desirable to have the inner diameter of theretaining ring I52 corresponding to bushing 85 equal to the insidediameter of the bore in the rotor 42. This may be accomplished bysetting the supporting arms 88 for the cone I3 in a recess I49 in therotor wall and locking feet I50 therein by a retaining ring or cylinderI52 suitably secured in position as by locking screws I54. Suchstructural design permits a greater diameter of the cone than that shownin Figure 2. Due to the greater diameter, the centrifugal force createdwithin the liquid is increased and a better separation of the lighterentrained air from the heavier liquid is obtained at the chamber 9I. I

It will thus be seen that a device has been provided which is adaptedfor installation in the flow line before any type of metering devices insituations where extreme accuracy is desired in measuring the volume orweight of liquids or semiliquids at their maximum density under thetemperature and pressure of the substance. Moreover, there are numerousinstances where the metering of fluids is not essential but where it isextremely desirable to remove entrained air or gases fromfluids,.semi-fluids or pastes before or after processing. The passing ofthese fluids through the device of this invention will greatly improvethe products of manufacture and prevent damages caused by theentrainment of air or gases that may be in the products. For instance,the presence of entrained air in water being pumped into a steam boilercauses a pitting of the boiler tubes and walls. By passing this boilerfeed water through my-air eliminating device, the entrained air will beremoved, and the life of the boiler will be extended. It is also worthyof note that, should oils or greases be present in the boiler feedwater, this device will separate the greases from the water, and permitonly the clear water to enter the boiler, thus resulting in moreeflicient steaming of the boiler. In chemical or'food manufacturing orprocessing plants where the presence of air in the products ofmanufacture tends to cause a disintegration or a fermentation, thisdevice will be found of commercial advantage, because this device willseparate fluids composed of ingredients of varying gravity while underany pressure. For example, syrups of certain Baum will ferment and spoilif they contain entrained air. This device can regulate the amount ofentrained air to any desired degree. Again the presence of air or othergases in oil when being pumped through piping, will cause air pockets tobe formed in the high points of the pipe line and cause the piping tobecome air bound and retard the normal flow of oil. This device willeliminate this condition. In connection with domestic oil burner units,the process of this invention will permit the proper control of airnecessary for complete combustion of the fuel, irrespective of the gradeof oil. Also, in the manufacture of certain metals, this principle willcontrol the uniformity in the texture of the metal.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in thecomposition, proportions, configuration and disposition of the componentelements going to make up the invention as a whole as well as in theselection and/or combination of selected elements for specific purposesand no limitation is intended by the phraseology of the foregoingdescription or illustrations in the accompanying drawings except asindicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber at opposite ends thereof, respectively the capacity ofsaid rotor recess being greater than that of the priming chamber, adisplacement element comprising a tubular rotor within the rotor recess,a substantially conical member formed with a bore and disposed withinthe rotor in spaced relation thereto, an end closure member formed witha cylindrical recess in register with the bore in the conical member anda nozzle-like passage leading into the cylindrical recess tangentiallythereto, means to conduct fluid from the discharge chamber to thenozzle-like passage, the bore of said conical member increasing indiameter away from the cylindrical recess, an axially disposedperforated hub carried with the rotor to turn therewith and in part atleast within the end of the conical member, a tube in communicatingrelation with perforations in the hub, an accumulator comprising acylindrical cup-shaped container at an elevation higher than said tube,a conical bottom in said container, a progressively restricted passageconducting fluid from the tube to the container tangentially thereof,said container having a spaced outer wall, an inverted cup-shaped membercarried with the outer wall and whereof the wall extends between theinner and outer walls of the container to form a liquid seal, an escapevalve in the top' of the inverted member, a float in the containeractuating the escape valve, a safety valve for the accumulator and aby-pass from the safety valve to the priming chamber.

2. A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber, the capacity of said rotor recess being greater thanthat of the priming chamber, a displacement element comprising a tubularrotor within the rotor recess, a substantially conical member formedwith a bore and disposed within the rotor in spaced relation thereto, anend closure member formed with a cylindrical recess in register with thebore in the conical member and a nozzle-like passage-leading into thecylindricalrecess tangentially thereto, means to conduct fluid from thedischarge chamber to the nozzle-like passage; an axially disposedperforated hub carried with the rotor to turn therewith and in part atleast within the end of the conical member, a tube in communicatingrelation with perforations in the hub, an accumulator comprising acylindrical cup-shaped container at an elevation higher than said tube,a conical bottom in said container, a progressively restricted passageconducting fluid from the. tube to the container'tangentiallythereof,said container having a spaced outer wall, an inverted cup-shaped membercarriedwith the outer wall and whereof the wall extends between theinner and outer walls of the container to form a liquid seal, an escapevalve in the top of the inverted member, a float in the containeractuating the. escape valve, a safety. valve for the accumulator and a.by-pass fromlthe safety valve to the priming chamber.

3'- A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with. a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge. chamber, the capacity. of said rotor recess being greaterthan that. of the priming chamber, a displacement element comprising atubular rotor within the rotor recess, .a substantially conical memberformedwitha bore. and disposed within the rotor in spaced relationthereto, anend closure member formed withia cylindrical recess inregister with the bore' in'the. conical member and a. nozzle-like.pa'ssageleading into the cylindrical recess tangentially'thereto,.meansto conduct fiuidfrom the discharge, chamber to the nozzle likepassage,.the boreTofv said conical member increasing in diameter awayfrom the cylindrical recess,.an axially disposed. perforated hub carriedwith. theroto'r to turn s therewith and in .part at least within the endof the'conical member, a tube in communicating relation withperforations in the hub, an, ac-' cumulator comprising a cylindricalcup-shaped container at an elevation higher than said tube, a conicalbottom in said container, a progres sively restricted passage conductingfluid from the tube to the container tangentially thereof;

said container having a spaced outer wall, an

inverted cup-shaped member carried with the outer wall and whereof thewall extends between the inner and outer walls of the container to forma liquid seal, an escape valve in theftop of the inverted member, afloat in the container actuating the escape valve and a safety. valvefor. the accumulator.

4. A device to eliminate gaseous medium fromliquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber, the capacity of said rotor rercess being greater thanthat of the priming chamber, a displacement element comprising a tubularrotor Within the rotor recess, a substantially conical member formedwith a bore and disposed within the rotor in spaced relation thereto, anend closurefmemberformed with. a cylindrical recess in register with.the bore. inthe conicalmemberand. a nozzle-like passage leading ,intothe cylindrical recess tangentially thereto,imeansto conduct fluid?from'the discharge chamber to the nozzle-like passage, the bore of said:conical member increasing in diameter away from the. cylindrical.recess,,anl axially. disposed perforatedzhub carried with thefirotorto. turn therewithand inparltat least within the end of the conical:member, a tube inzcommunicating relation with perforations. in the.hub, an accumulator. comprising. a cylindrical cup-shaped container atan. elevation higher than said tube, aiconical. bottomiinrsaidcontainer, a progressively restricted passage conducting fluid from thentubepto v the container tangentially thereof, said: container; having aspaced outer wall, an inverted cup-shaped member. carriedwiththe outerwall and :vvhereof. the. wall. extends between the. inner and outer:walls. of the container to form a liquid seal;.an escape. valve. in thetop of the. invertedme'mber', a flo'atinthe. containeractuatingatheescape' valve; and aby-pass from the container to.th'epriming chamber.

"5; Adevice toeliminat'e gaseous medium from liquidzcomprising a.casing, formed with. a. rotor recess and an inlet andipriming. chamberand a discharge chamber, the capacity of. saidrotor recess being.greater than that of .the' priming chamber, a displacement elementcomprising a tubular rotor: withintherotor recess, a substantialIy.conical member formed with. abore and disposed withinithe rotor in'spaced relation thereito,; an.endiclosure. member formed witha cylinin.communicating relation with. perforations in the.l'iub,-..anaccumulatorcomprising a. cylindrical cup-shaped container atianelevation higher than I said tube,.a1.conical bottom. in said container,a

, progressively. restricted? passage. conducting fluid fromixthe. tube.to. the. container tangentially thereof, said containerv hav-ing aspaced outer wall, an inverted cup-shaped member. carriedwith the outer.walliandzwhereofithe =wall extends between the inner 'and' outerwallslof the con-- tainer. to form. a liquid: seal, an.'escape' valve inthextop ofv the invertedm'ember, a safety valve for the accumulator anda by-pass from the safety'valveito'theprir'ning chamber.

1 611A" device to eliminate gaseous .mediumfrom. liquid comprising acasing. formed with a. rotorrecess and an inlet; andpriming. chamber anda discharge, chamber, the capacity or said rotor recess being greater.than. that of the priming chamber, ajdisplacement element. comprising aameter away from the cylindrical recess, an axially disposed perforatedhub carried with the rotor to turn therewith and in part at least withinthe end of the conical member, a tube in communicating relation withperforations in the hub, an accumulator comprising a cylindricalcup-shaped container at an elevation higher than said tube, a conicalbottom in said container, a progressively restricted passage conductingfluid from the tube to the container tangentially thereof, saidcontainer having a spaced outer wall, an inverted cup-shaped membercarried with the outer wall and whereof the wall extends between theinner and outer walls of the container to form a liquid seal, and anescape valve in the top of the inverted member.

'7. A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber, the capacity of said rotor recess being greater thanthat of the priming chamber, a displacement element comprising a tubularrotor within the rotor recess, a substantially conical member formedwith a bore and disposed within the rotor in spaced relation thereto, anend closure member formed with a cylindrical recess in register with thebore in the conical member and a nozzle-like passage leading into thecylindrical recess tangentially thereto, means to conduct fluid from thedischarge chamber to the nozzle-like passage, the bore of said conicalmember increasing in diameter away from the cylindrical recess, anaxially disposed perforated hub carried with the rotor to turn therewithand in part at least within the end of the conical member, a. tube incommunicating relation with perforations in the hub, an accumulator, aprogressively restricted passage conducting fluid from the tube to theaccumulator tangentially thereof, said accumulator having a spaced outerwall, an inverted cup-shaped member carried with the outer wall andwhereof the wall extends within the outer wall of the container to forma liquid seal, an escape valve in the top of the inverted member, afloat in the accumulator actuating the escape valve, a safety valve forthe accumulator and a by-pass from the safety valve to the primingchamber.

8. A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber, the capacity of saidrotor recess being greater thanthat of the inlet and priming chamber, a displacement element comprisinga tubular rotor within the rotor recess, a substantially conical memberformed with a bore and disposed within the rotor in spaced relationthereto, an end closure member formed with a cylindrical recess inregister with the bore in the conical member and a nozzle-like passageleading into the cylindrical recess tangentially thereto, means toconduct fluid from the discharge chamber to the nozzle-like passage, thebore of said conical member increasing in diameter away from thecylindrical recess, an axially disposed perforated hub carried with therotor to turn therewith and in part. at least within the end of theconical member, a tube in communicating relation with perforations inthe hub, an accumulator comprising a cylindrical cup-shaped container atan elevation higher than said tube, a conical bottom in said container,a progressively restricted passage conducting fluid from the tube to thecontainer tangentially thereof and an escape valve in the top of theinverted member.

9. A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber, the capacity of said rotor recess being greater thanthat of the inlet and priming chamber, a displacement element comprisinga tubular rotor within the rotor recess, a substantially conical memberformed with a bore and disposed within the rotor in spaced relationthereto, an end closure member formed with a cylindrical recess inregister with the bore in the conical member and a nozzle-like passageleading into the cylindrical recess tangentially thereto, means toconduct fluid from the discharge chamber to the nozzle-like passage, thebore of said conical member increasing in diameter away from thecylindrical recess, an axially disposed perforated hub carried with therotor to turn therewith and in part at least within the end of theconical member and a tube in communicating relation with perforations inthe hub.

10. A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber, the capacity of said rotor recess being greater thanthat of the inlet and priming chamber, a displacement element comprisinga tubular rotor within the rotor recess, a substantially conical memberformed with a bore and disposed within the rotor in spaced relationthereto, an end closure member formed with a 'cylindrical recess inregister with the bore in the conical member and a nozzle-like passageleading into the cylindrical recess tangentially thereto, means toconduct fluid from the discharge chamber to the nozzle-like passage, anaxially disposed perforated hub carried with the rotor to turn therewithand in part at least within the end of the conical member and a tube incommunicating relation with perforations in the hub,

11. A device to eliminate gaseous medium from liquid comprising a casingformed with a rotor recess and an inlet and priming chamber and adischarge chamber, a displacement element comprising a tubular rotorwithin the rotor recess, a substantially conical member formed with abore and disposed within the rotor in spaced relation thereto, an endclosure member formed with a cylindrical recess in register with thebore in the conical member and a nozzle-like passage leading into thecylindrical recess tangentially thereto, means to conduct fluid from thedischarge chamber to the nozzle-like passage, the bore of said conicalmember increasing in diameter away from the cylindrical recess, anaxially disposed perforated hub carried with the rotor to turn therewithand in part at least within the end of the conical member and a tube incommunicating relation with perforations in the hub.

WALTER S. FINKEN.

